h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having been pottering around PR (more than normal) in the past couple of weeks I have noticed that what I would consider to be pickable entires are sitting there long past their incubation period.

This didn't used to be the case ... when something was ready off it whooshed to the subbies .... I was just wondering is there any particular reason things have changed so dramatically.

Or is it only me ...

It's because we only have very few scouts who actually make their picks, and GB can't make up for all of them, although god knows that she tries.
There hhave been so many entries submitted to PR during the past two weeks, some just will have to wait for a while - or for some scouts to do extra picks.

Bel, I just thought it was curious ... what with everyone crying out for entries, it may be a bit soul destroying for some newbies to see their entries sit and sit when they've finished and everyone seems happy.

It may be enough to put them off - just as they're getting turned on to it.

If there aren't enough Scouts shouldn't there be some advertising or something to draw some new ones in.

Oooh, let me loose I'm back at em now.

There's some really good stuff in PR just now as well. It's looking good again.

Yeah it is looking good, but I'd hate to see it wain again through indifference.

When I wrote my first entries, they were in PR longer than just seven days - and that's how it used to be with most entries. This recent 'picked the moment the incubation was over' was just an indication for the lack of entries, and I'm glad there actually are entries to choose from again.

Well I'll do my bit rest assured.
Even writing an article as well just now, a bit to do yet but it's a start.

Well, until quite recently there were Eds on every teatime and two or three entries were whisked away, now while I don't think we're healthy enough to do that again - there does seem to be a slowing down all round.

When I first arrived here, Entries would take six weeks or so to be selected from PR, and a couple more weeks to be subbed. We have been so desperate for Entries lately, though, that good Entries have been snapped up straight away. As Bel says, the fact that they aren't moving out as quickly is a good sign.

If there is a shortage of Scouts and Subs at the moment - I say if - I think there is a good chance that some of the newly-active writers/Researchers might volunteer for the schemes in the future. I feel that the writing and reviewing must come first, though.

When I first showed up, entries could sit around for two months. But if you're worried about discouraging newbies, then pick theirs and not from old hands.

I had no idea things had got that bad.

I've only been writing for 13/14 months, and in that time (until recently) there has been a really long queue for the FP, but the entries were picked between a week and 10 days after they'd incubated. On your advice Rich I went looking at some of the older entries in PR and was surprised to see quite a few of them were ready and sitting for over 2 weeks and this struck me as .

I now see that it's my perception of it that's .

Thanks all and

'When I first showed up, entries could sit around for two months.'

No, Leo, that was just yours...

I'm one Scout who holds her hands up to not picking this month.

Life got in the way and as a rule I find it tricky to dive into PR and find Entries on the spot. I like to have helped or at least watched them go through the editing process. This lets me know the Entires are ready.

It also avoids something I find very annoying but sadly sometimes happens where another Scout feels it's 'their' pick as they've been most active in the PR thread. Then it can get nasty. I know from experience and while I do not agree with this I now protect myself from it. So if I don't think certain people will think I'm worthy to pick it, I'm afraid I won't.

However if there are Entires languishing

I always took the view, Jules, that the site was more important than the individual - after all, you don't get any special award or kudos for actually making the pick, but you do get the odd nice message saying thanks for the help in the thread. I've never understood people who think they can 'claim' a pick simply by commenting in a PR thread.

I don't understand them either but having been in the firing line I am now cautious, maybe overly so, when choosing.

How can a pick be 'claimed' as such anyway? I've commented and followed stuff through PR then discovered someone else has picked it, I just go find summat else. It's no big deal, at least they get picked, that's what counts.
We don't let on what we pick in PR or after the article is picked, do we?

When I was a Scout I found it difficult to find things that were ready when my picks were due. I have to admit I didn't worry a jot about picking something if it was ready and someone else was commenting on it.

I don't think any old-timers would worry if theirs weren't picked for weeks, but the newbies may well be waiting with baited breath.

I also think it would be a more accurate snapshot of the site if the pickable ones were picked and then we'd see where we are queue-wise for the FP and still have the daily additions to work on in PR.

Not *just* mine, Skanky. Me and BigAl used to compete to see whose would stay down longer.

...which is actually why I make all my picks from the bottom.

How about this way: if there are two ready entries and one is by a newbie and one isn't, take the newbie's?

I agree with you all and will develop a thicker skin in future